Multiple key systems, various entrances including fire doors, glass doors, offices, pharmacies, car parks and lifts plus hundreds of workers and contractors using different access systems and needing different, constantly changing permissions; faced with these challenges, managers at Hospital MAZ in Zaragoza, Spain, knew that the ageing mechanical keys could not provide the 21st century security their hospital needed.

The MAZ has now upgraded its locks to Assa Abloy SMARTair Wireless Online electronic access control, which keeps facility managers constantly updated about their premises in real time. Approximately 115 escutcheons and wall readers now filter access to internal and external doorways, including wooden and glass doors, fire doors and safety doors. Wall readers control hospital lifts, car parks, fire sectoring doors and the gym. Wireless escutcheons lock offices, kitchens, the canteen, the pharmacy, the archive and storerooms.
This single, unified access system is controlled by secure TS1000 management software installed on the central server and managed via client servers in different hospital departments. The Web Manager runs inside any standard internet browser, with https protocol communication and SSL password encryption, and makes day-to-day administration simple. Adding or deleting a user via the Web Manager takes a couple of clicks to cancel or amend a smart card’s access rights. So, in contrast to the previous mechanical key system, hospital security is not compromised if an employee loses their credential.

Single Card
The Smart Air Wireless Online system updates via communications hubs in real time so security managers can implement all changes via the central system, without needing to walk through the hospital, changing rights one door at a time. Because the devices are wireless and battery-powered, installation and operation are inexpensive too. Employee convenience has been greatly enhanced. Staff and contractors now carry a single Mifare smart card programmed with their constantly updated, individual access permissions, which they use to open authorized doors. Cards are delivered blank and then personalized to work also as employee registration ID, so 625 staff and approximately 100 contractors only need to carry a single card.
“We have achieved all our objectives with the installation of the system,” says Miguel Angel Hernández Jerez at Hospital MAZ. In fact, the hospital is already planning to expand its Smart Air installation to another 50 doors. Thirty more centers in the same group are also planning to switch to Smart Air – all of which can be controlled by a central server.